Berra puts himself in the conversation to stay with Flames, but Phoenix scores 3-2 OT pre-season win

Calgary Flames goalie Reto Berra keeps an eye on the bouncing puck as it flew over the stick of Phoenix Coyotes defenceman Chris Summers during the second period of NHL pre-season action at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday.

Photograph by: Colleen De Neve
, Calgary Herald

Reto Berra goes into every game with a specific goal.

Since the netminder declines to make it public, there’s no telling if he reached his target Wednesday.

He did not get the shutout.

He did not stop three of 25 shots.

Not that Berra was bad. He wasn’t. In fact, he stopped Jordan Szwarz on a breakaway and robbed Mikkel Boedker in the dying minutes of regulation time to get the night into overtime.

But Karri Ramo — whose final test was Monday’s 4-1 triumph over the New York Rangers — had been considered by many to be the clubhouse leader in the race for the Calgary Flames’ top goaltending position.

Berra’s handiwork at least allowed him to stay in the conversation.

“I’m happy because I gave everything I had,” said the 26-year-old. “I think I did pretty good. I think I can play in this league. I’m happy. It’s not my decision what’s going on. I’d just like to relax (Thursday, a day off for the team). Overall, it was a good game.

“Too bad about that last goal.”

Yes, that. Zbynek Michalek’s overtime scorcher lifted the Phoenix Coyotes to a 3-2 triumph in National Hockey League pre-season action at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

“He was good,” said coach Bob Hartley. “He got beat by some unbelievable shots. I felt that he was square. He gave us the big save on the breakaway. I’m pretty pleased with him.”

The Calgarians, who finish the pre-season 4-2-1, should also credit the kids for getting them into an extra period.

Down 2-0 midway through the third, Lance Bouma (with his fourth goal in four exhibition contests) and Corban Knight tallied less than two minutes apart.No dummies, the youngsters would have realized that this was the final period of their last live-action audition at the Saddledome.

“Hopefully, it helps,” said Bouma. “I have to try and chip in offensively when I can. To be able to have some success that way is nice. We’ve just got to keep going and keep playing hard. It feels good, especially missing all of last year (with a knee injury). It’s nice to come in and be able to have some success.“(Making the team) is still always in the back of your mind. We’ll see.”

By Monday, NHL clubs must declare their 23-man rosters.

Thursday, the Flames figure to lop off another half-dozen bodies.

In the forefront of the decisions is netminding, meaning all eyes had been on the Swiss netminder, who stopped the five shots he faced in the opening 20 minutes.

Only 11 ticks into second frame, Matt Stajan was dinged for hooking Martin Hanzal. Which set the stage for Berra, who, with his stick, repelled a low drive from Radim Vrbata, then poke-checked away a goalmouth pass for David Rundblad.

But, seconds later, he had no answer for Shane Doan.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s point shot was twice tipped — once by a defender, then by the Phoenix captain — before it fluttered between Berra’s pads.

Late in the second period, Mike Ribeiro swung into Calgary territory. Ever shifty, the Coyotes centre went clockwise around the Flames’ net, pulling Berra way out of the position. The goalkeeper hopped back into his crease, just in time to have Ekman-Larsson’s hard shot whistle over his shoulder.

Post-game, Berra huddled at his dressing-room stall with backup Joey MacDonald and goalie coach Clint Malarchuk. He told reporters later that he’s learning lots from everyone, including even his counterpart, Mike Smith.

“When you see how this other guy handles the puck,” said Berra, chuckling, “there’s a lot of work to do. I’m still going to work every day. It doesn’t matter where I am.”

Hartley, meanwhile, raved about his boys’ effort to come back from a two-goal deficit.

He pointed out that in the opening weekend of the pre-season — those split-squad games against the Edmonton Oilers — the Flames had gamely rallied twice.

Now Wednesday’s late-game push.

“They deserve lots of credit,” said the coach. “Those are good signs. Those are signs of character, signs of conditioning, of being relentless. Those are all things that we want to get accomplished here. That’s part of the new culture. We want to make sure that establish those priorities right from the start.“It won’t be perfect every day. But with hard work and the commitment, I think we can surprise lots of people.”

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Calgary Flames goalie Reto Berra keeps an eye on the bouncing puck as it flew over the stick of Phoenix Coyotes defenceman Chris Summers during the second period of NHL pre-season action at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Wednesday.

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